A surprise weekend away was organised, all the way to central Wellington. So distance is not a prerequisite for being away, just not the same surroundings and without the usual responsibilities. The “Celt” moved in to be aunty to the delighful three.
So we had an action packed 24 hours. We saw”Capote“, well worth the effort, and I am currently in the slow process of reading “In cold blood”. The a return walk back to the Bolton Hotel, one of Wellington’s finest. Dinner was enjoyed with fine rare beef, wine and chat.
There was plenty time to explore Wellington sea front in the dark with the camera. We enjoyed the lights in the wind free air, and took in the arts, The “Whispering Water” and the art form for which I do not know the name. Coloured flourescent tubes in a swirling pattern.
There was time still to enjoy the Canes lose on tv while drinking bubbly.
On Sunday it was back home to work and the kids after a morning of gym work, swimming and sauna.
The children seemed to have had as good a time as the parents. So a winner all round.
Category: Family
Super Dad
Being in the midst of school holidays (like everyone else?), we are sharing back-at-the-ranch parent duties. Yesterday was my turn. An early rise to drop Sara off for her 12 hour shift and back home again, dark enough to still see the stars. I did not have my Skymap so was a little disorientated, and the sky had moved around form my typical viewing times.
After breakfast it was on with life in the fast lane. Up to Porirua to the pool, with its wave machine, hot pools, “tubes” as well as the more mundane pool for swimming laps. Children and dad enjoyed the “tubes”, and laps were done to improve fitness. Dad retired a little earlier to enjoy coffee and cake while kids expended a little more energy. I was good enough to give them a few crumbs of my cake.
After luuch it was into town to do some secretive shopping, play at Oriental Bay while dad had his camera out trying to acheive a particular shot, but was unsuccessful again. More at some future successful date.
Back home via Nairville for kicking practice and a sumptuous pasta meal.
This dad has all the skills!
Rugby from the sidelines
Today were at Ian Galloway Park for day one of Joe’s rugby season proper. He met his new team. Wests Under 11 “Red” team.
http://www.wests-junior-rugby.org.nz/_home/wests-junior-rugby-home.htm
The coach loooked the team over to decide positions. Joe was prop. He did well few good tackles, took the ball on a couple of times and tried to look the part in those mauls. Scrummaging was on though no push at this level. Lack of fitness told for Joe, and was of fthe action near the end and not getting the tackles in. something to work on.
The oppo was well organised having mostly played before and together. One lad really took the eye. He was a back who could run fast, was a well balanced runner with swerve, side step and eye for a gap at the age of 10. One of those who we will see again?
He reminded me of me!
A Paint Job?
Playing Around just like MM
Basin Reserve
Yesterday afternoon Joe and I went for a flying visit to the cricket. This was after he has hit a mesmerising 6 runs in his under 10s game and bowled a tidy 2 overs of left arm spin. The boy deserved his crunchy and his trip out.
If only the West Indies could play as well as the Onslow Shastris. We were a bit late to see the dolly catch dropped at mid off which should have accounted for Fleming, but instead watched him and Fulton hit the bowling around with ease. Penetrating bowling it was not.
I enjoyed the viewing, and Joe got the autograph of Jimmy Franklin-who000?
International Arts Festival- Episode Five
So the final outing of the luvvies of Khandallah.
Saturday night out to the Opera House to see “DJ Spooky” perform.
He is a mixer, multimedia artist.
The show was “Rebirth of a Nation”, his working of a 1913 film “Birth of a Nation”, a KKK propaganda film, with music mixing overlay. Sounded interesting so we went along with the other Wellingtonian hip dudes.
It was different, with flim playing on 2-3 screens with his added effects and titles and written commentary, with him standing of stage mixing the music. I was a bit diappointed because the use of the film was not different enough. Music was fine but not overwhelming to me, though the better half was on the the wavelength more.
Anyway, not something I have done before so worth the effort to see something new. A better review form my accomplice, so theoverallscore for the fesival is
3/5
Happy Cultural Times
New Cap Listening to National Anthem at Eden Park
Well he is playing rugby this winter and has already been to two pre-season training sessions to work on his skills and fitness.
A few nuggets have been passed on in the garden about the finer points of catch and pass, with addition of hip movements in the next lesson.
Slow movements towards holiday
Not much happening as the countdown to holiday continues. Three more working days until the car is off for a trip to the camping grounds of the Bay of Plenty, with an engagement party on the way, with us camping in the host’s garden, along with a few others.
Roll on sunshine, sea, sand, surf and sailing. Kids excited by the prospect of life under”canvas”. Same for me with prospect of fishing, though I never have before. I am sure some nice Kiwi man on the beach will show us how to add practical knowledge to our theoretical knowldge on surfcasting for out tea. We are proud rod owners.
The kite will come out, or is it the three kites, so that we have enough bits to put one up in the air. Time to practice those loop manoeuvres.
No doubt I will also become “MG” the BBQ king!
Happy dreaming
Victorian Father Relents
So after being advised by modern women and mothers as to his anachronistic ways the father of the house withdrew his objection to the ear ring staging post in a young girl’s life.
Eleanor is very pleased with the outcome and reports it did not hurt too much, though she did feel a bit sick during the procedure. Mum reports she went white as a sheet.
Dad is hoping post-op recovery remains smooth.
Coming of age events are coming thick and fast for Eleanor as she has just inherited dad’s old mobile. He has upgraded fo flip top and so is trying to reach at least the 20th C. This will explain a spate of unrecognised international texts to limited contact list of dad.